Actor Karthi was last seen on screen in the romantic entertainer Dev directed by Rajath Ravishankar, and even during the promotions of the movie, when questioned if his father Sivakumar hated selfies, he had replied that nothing would be wrong if done with proper permission, and that many have taken selfies with his father.

Today, the audio launch of July Kaatril starring Anant Nag, Anju Kurian and directed by Sundaram happened in Chennai, and Karthi had been to the event as a special guest. As he was invited by the show host actress Kasthuri to speak on stage, she tried to take a selfie with the actor, while saying she wanted to click a selfie urgently with Karthi as his father Sivakumar wasn't around.

Karthi, without losing his cool, said that this was something unwanted, and started speaking. "These days there's no respect with regards to selfies. None cares to ask the person concerned before clicking the selfie, and they bring their phones close to face, with a flash behind and front, unmindful of the effects this flash will cause to a person with migraine. Its a pity that people have lost even the respect and courtesy to ask others before clicking selfies with them" lashed out Karthi, against the selfie culture.